The presence of DC8 and DC13 in the genomes of parasites in uncomplicated malaria infections contradicts a hypothesis that severe malaria is caused by highly restricted, virulent strains of P. falciparum [46], even though some caveats to this point remain, as mentioned in “Results.” Additional studies of host immunity, specific var gene regulation and expression, and var gene subsets in different clinical syndromes are needed to better understand determinants of virulence. Here, NSL1 is linked to malaria.